Mirra Andreeva achieved her first victory over her older sister Erika on Wednesday at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. However, the win was not as hoped, as Erika had to retire due to injury in the first round when trailing 6-2, 1-0.
Stuttgart: Draws | Scores | Order of play | Tournament info
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Erika had previously defeated Mirra in their only professional match in Wuhan last year and, according to the sisters, had won every practice set in their childhood. In Stuttgart, competing as a lucky loser, Erika initially broke Mirra`s serve but then lost the next two games and took a medical time-out. She returned with her right knee heavily strapped, but Mirra then dominated the match.
After the match, Mirra, the No. 5 seed, embraced Erika and paid tribute to her sister, acknowledging Erika`s significant role in her rapid rise to the Top 10.
`If she hadn`t started playing tennis before me, I don`t think I would be playing this well so quickly,` Mirra stated in her on-court interview. `She began competing in tournaments before I did and showed me the path. Because of her, it was easier for me to immediately start playing in bigger tournaments. If it weren`t for her, I don`t believe I would be participating in this tournament this year.`
Mirra was aware of Erika`s physical struggles, saying, `We share a room, so of course I knew what she`s been going through.` Despite winning, Mirra had mixed emotions.
`I have honestly weird emotions,` she admitted. `I should be a bit happy that I won, but I`m still very sad that it ended this way. I am sure she will take time to recover and come back stronger than ever.`
Watch: Mirra Andreeva leads crowd in `Happy Birthday` to coach Martínez
Despite the bittersweet victory, the 17-year-old Mirra showed her lighter side. With a mischievous look, she turned to her coach, Conchita Martínez, and announced, `It`s my coach`s birthday, and I want to embarrass her a little.` Mirra then led the Stuttgart crowd in singing `Happy Birthday`, addressing Martínez by her full name, Concepción, with a smile.
Martínez responded with good humor, blowing kisses to the audience. Although it was a day of mixed feelings for the Andreeva family, Mirra`s career continues to ascend. Her next match will be a first-time encounter with Ekaterina Alexandrova as she aims to reach her fourth quarterfinal of 2025.
Rupert Caldwell